We Gon' Party Like It's My Birfday

Birthday tulips

It was my birthday on Tuesday, and Colt and Jace really rose to the occasion.

Birthday Highlights:

-Jace didn't sleep super well the night before, so I was up pretty early. However, Colt was up even earlier, sprinkling the apartment with a few different cards and notes for me to find later. Bless him.

-Jace and I went on a lunch date to Panera.

-Colt surprised me and came home at noon! Half-day for the win! Bonus: he brought me a bouquet of festive red tulips, which caused me to kiss his two-lips.

-We took Jace to the play area at the mall (his favorite spot these days), and while we were there, he stood up without holding on to anything for over 10 seconds. First time (and only time since) that he's pulled out that fancy little number! It was pretty awesome. Happy Birthday to Mama!

-Birthday snugs until 3, at which point I excused myself and went and got a manicure.

-We consumed a scrumptious birthday dinner of white chicken chili and cornbread (per my request).

-Colt built me a cozy fire in in our fire place, and JJ tried to touch it. Alas, he was unsuccessful. Our fireplace screen was delivered in the nick of time.

-We ate the delicious Oreo ice cream dessert that Colt has made me for all but one of the birthdays we've spent together.
-Colt bought me a pair of much coveted moccasins as an early birthday present, and I wore them all day long. They are perfect and I love them.  I'm so stealthy when I wear my moccs; nobody hears me coming. I think I might make Colt call me Tiger Lily every time I put them on. 

See? I was thoroughly spoiled. Major props to my main men for making me feel so special. I love you!

I honestly cannot believe I'm 28. The years are starting to pass by way too fast, especially this last one. I feel like time sped up after I found out I was pregnant (way back when I was just a young, naive 26 year old). My wedding day, graduation...it feels like a few months ago, but it's been two and a half years! Before you know it, I'll be 30, which is vaguely depressing. Good thing I've got the best buddy and the cutest babe to help me forget how old I'm getting.  And also, new moccasins. Beautiful, beautiful moccasins.

Leavenworth

Jace wasn't so sure about this "Santa."

"You sit on a throne of lies!"

Waiting in the bitter cold for the Christmas lighting ceremony to start

We finally made it to Leavenworth! I've been wanting to go since we moved here last fall, but we wanted to wait for the holiday season, and I was too pregnant to go last year.  Leavenworth is a Bavarian-themed town nestled in the snowy mountains about two hours from our house. We were told Christmas is a great time to head out there, because the town goes all out. It definitely did not disappoint!

The drive was absolutely beautiful, with the fir trees covered in snow and icicles; a literal Winter Wonderland. I love all the seasons, especially when the leaves change in the fall, but snow-covered mountains are my happy place. I was in heaven once we hit the pass.

The town itself is pretty small and very German. Bratwursts are a big deal there, as is alcohol (we did not partake of either). But we still had so much fun exploring the snowy streets, looking through antique shops and European bakeries. We bought a loaf of cinnamon bread from The Danish Bakery, in honor of my people. Apparently, it's "World Famous." We'll see. And we also found the coolest little shop where we bought my parents' Christmas gift. That's all I can say for now, but Colt and I were both pretty impressed, and that's saying a lot because Colt is not an easily impressed sort of guy (luckily, I'm super impressive, which is why we are married).

We stopped for dinner at a tasty burger joint, where JJ ate more of my cheeseburger than I did. He did great all day; we carried him around and he just took it all in! He wants to be part of everything we do, and I love it. He's our little buddy.

 Afterwards, we headed to the main street gazebo to enjoy the town Christmas lighting ceremony. They do it every weekend in December, and the whole town is covered in Christmas lights. Jace was getting a little cranky at that point because he hadn't taken an afternoon nap (too much to see!), but once the lights came on, he was captivated. 

I'm thrilled we made it to the snow and to Leavenworth this year. I had such a good time with my boys. I couldn't stop taking pictures because my heart hurt a little when I looked at them together. I love them both so much. I'm so lucky I get to spend all of my time and all of my Christmases with these two.